Mustang 32 Sports Cruiser – elegance and style in a compact package

The famed Mustang sports cruiser brand has returned to the water in the form of a sparkling new two-cabin 32-footer built under the watchful eye of boat building icon Bill Barry-Cotter.

After years of foreign and private equity ownership, Mr Barry-Cotter brought Mustang back into Australian ownership in April 2010.

Mr Barry-Cotter said the new design builds on the tradition of Mustang.

“We have taken the brand back to its roots,” he said. “Mustang again stands for great family sports cruisers at a competitive price.”

“The Mustangs are a great challenge,” he said. “The technologies we use are leading edge and there is a constant challenge to make a quality boat, save weight and keep the price down. We don’t have the same constraints in a larger boat.”

Mr Barry-Cotter said he and his design had to start from scratch developing new models.

“We studied the models built under the previous owners and they were simply not up to the standards I expect from my organisation,” he said.

The Mustang 32 is powered through a sterndrive driven by a single Mercruiser 8.2 Mag DTS Bravo petrol engine developing 380hp, with options for a Volvo Penta D6 diesel engine rated to 330hp or a Mercruiser QSD diesel rated top 350hp.

Stepping on board from the integrated swim platform, a transom door on the starboard side leads to the cockpit, most of which is covered by the hardtop and overhang.

“There’s still plenty of room for the sun worshippers on the aft lounge,” said Mr Barry-Cotter. “And the entire cockpit is protected from spray when the boat is at speed.”

The swim platform includes a lounge across the transom for soaking up the sun or watching swimmers when the boat is at rest. A stainless steel grille built into the transom covers a dorade to the engine space. A stainless steel swim ladder is tucked under the starboard side of the platform.

The cockpit features teak decking and a large L-shape lounge that runs along the port side and curves around the transom and a fold-out dinette table.

The entire aft section of the cockpit including the lounge seat opens on an electric actuator to reveal the engine space. A lazarette hatch forward, beside the helm, opens to reveal more storage as access to the water tank and waste water tank.

Overhead, a sliding sunroof is built into the hardtop to add even more light and air.

Storage cabinets and drawers abound in the cockpit. There are two drawers under the lounge, two more at the back of the helm seating and deep cupboards across the starboard side, all faired in gloss coated teak.

The three-side enclosed cockpit and entertaining area has a forward helm with a twin seat and well-equipped gourmet galley with a recessed two-burner gas cooktop, a sink with mixer tap and a fridge and a large storage cabinet under the benchtop. The gas bottle is stored under the swim platform lounge.

The helm itself includes a power-assisted sports steering wheel with wood accent, a digital throttle and shift with a trim switch, trim tab controls as well as engine instrumentation – tachometer, engine water temperature, oil pressure, volt meter and fuel gauge. There is also a tilt control for the stern drive, high water alarms and a VHF radio with folding antenna. Electronics options include Lawrance HDS7, HDS8 or HDS10 fishfinder/GPS chartplotters.

Forward, a companionway leads to the accommodation of a master cabin forward with an island double bed, deep hanging lockers and shelf storage on either side. A round deck hatch provides light and air while opening portholes on either side also offer cross-ventilation to the cabin.

A second bunk cabin is on the starboard side with upper and lower bunks, a hanging locker and opening porthole. The fully enclosed bathroom on the port side includes a sink and vanity, Vacuflush toilet and a shower.

A second deck hatch at the aft end of the accommodation space provides additional light and ventilation.

The boat’s electrical system is 12-volt, with a 25-amp battery charger, battery switches, breaker panels, a DC main breaker as well as shore power plug and cord.

The boat is equipped with a carbon monoxide monitor and alarm as well as a gas alarm and shut-off.

The new Mustang 32 Sports Cruiser is competitively priced at a base of $215,000 and includes a five-year structural warranty, one-year general warranty and all applicable third-party equipment warranties.

MUSTANG 32 SPORTS CRUISER SPECIFICATIONS

Length overall             9.85m             32 ft 4 in

Hull length (ISO)             9.67m             31 ft 9 in

Beam             3.175m             10 ft 5 in

Draft             1.05m             3 ft 5 in

Displacement             4,800kg             5.29 US tons

Fuel capacity             600 litres             158 US gal

Water capacity             120 litres             31 US gal

Holding tank            45 litres            12 US gal

Sleeping capacity             4-5 standard

Std engine 1 x Mercruiser Mag             380mhp